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Tag Archives: urban parks
the oldest trees in golden gate park: coastal oak woodlands predate the park
In the north east corner of Golden Gate Park, along Fulton Ave. behind McLaren Lodge and the Conservatory of Flowers, a grove of native coast live oaks (Quercus agrifolia) offers a glimpse of what the San Francisco peninsula was like before the … Continue reading
red tailed hawk on strawberry hill in golden gate park
This weekend, on another sketching expedition in Golden Gate Park, I spotted a young red tailed hawk in a tree just at eye level on Strawberry Hill. It paid no attention to me. Barrel-chested and looking mighty puffed-up, with a haughty affect like a brigadier general, it … Continue reading
Posted in animals, birds, wildlife
Tagged birds of golden gate park, golden gate park, nature journaling, urban ecology, urban parks, urban wildlife
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Last weekend, on the monthly bird walk in Golden Gate Park (meets at the main gate of the Botanical Garden at 8 a.m. on the first Sunday of every month), my favorite sighting was four ravens lined up sociably on a branch … Continue reading
a timeless grove in golden gate park
How fitting that a grove of redwoods in Golden Gate Park commemorates those who have lost their lives to AIDS. For me, a stroll through these magnificent giants is a spiritual experience whenever I encounter them. Even more than stone circles and … Continue reading
Posted in gardens, plants, trees/urban forest
Tagged AIDS Memorial Grove, golden gate park, urban parks, walk in the park
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Australian tree like a benign serpent in the grass of golden gate park
Next to the Ghiradelli Rustic Shelter, a hang-out for chess and checker players just north-west of the Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park, the serpentine trunks of an old (possibly dying?) Melaleuca tree must be an irresistible jungle gym for children. Going … Continue reading
Posted in plants, trees/urban forest
Tagged golden gate park, trees of golden gate park, urban forest, urban parks
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Recollections of a 50-year love affair with Golden Gate Park
I can’t resist posting this lovely recollection of Golden Gate Park written by Roselyn Rich Smith, printed in the Marin Independent Journal on June 6, 2024 (to see the original article follow the link at the end). “I have bicycled through some … Continue reading
Posted in history, people, recreation
Tagged bicycling, golden gate park, golden gate park history, urban parks
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pedestrian underpass in Golden Gate Park avoids cars and serves as impromtu bandshell
A pedestrian underpass beckons like an intriguing cave opposite the Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park, offering a vehicle-free means of traversing JFK Drive. On a sunny day, the sunlit steps on the other side are an invitation to enter and the reward … Continue reading
Posted in arts, concerts, history, infrastructure
Tagged concert in the park, golden gate park, golden gate park history, music in the park, urban parks
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primordial tree fern dell in golden gate park
The shady Tree Fern Dell in Golden Gate Park is so different in mood from the sunny, flower-filled Conservatory Valley on the other side of JFK Drive. But this jungly dell well represents the flip side of the Victorian sensibility, a fascination with the exotic and … Continue reading
Golden Gate Park aquifer to augment Hetch Hetchy water
Here’s an interesting article about the aquifer that underlies Golden Gate Park: “The ongoing California drought and the constant threat of earthquake have driven home the need for The City, which draws 85 percent of its water from the Tuolumne … Continue reading
Posted in health and safety, infrastructure
Tagged golden gate park, urban parks, water in golden gate park, windmills
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Blue Heron Cam at Stow Lake (Bay Nature)
Nancy DeStafanis with her herons at Stow Lake, San Francisco. Photo courtesy of DeStefanis. A sign placed outside the Stow Lake Boathouse informs visitors of the variety of bird species that use the lake, such as the pied-billed grebe, Canadian … Continue reading
Posted in animals, birds, people, wildlife
Tagged birds of golden gate park, golden gate park, urban ecology, urban parks
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golden gate park: views from the thicket 